Frequently Asked Questions

We are unique in that we do not charge our graduates a per diem fee for any cruises.

We ask for an initial investment in our training, mentoring, and coaching program, and that is the extent of the financial commitment.

We do not believe that a retired professor, speaker, or lecturer should pay a per diem for the privilege of speaking aboard a cruise ship.

Since we are an agency, we charge a $350 administration fee for each cruise booked by the speaker.

It depends on the cruise line and whether the cruise ship is fully booked. As a first leg, we were given a luxury suite with a balcony. This is somewhat unusual, however, we have experienced this before, although it is not a common experience.

For the second leg, we were given a handicap-designated suite. This was a first for us. The bedroom was extra large and the bathroom was enormous. Altogether, a unique and very enjoyable experience.

For the third leg, we got a standard suite with a floor-to-ceiling window.

To summarize: We need to be flexible and open to whatever the cruise line gives us, and generally, it is very acceptable.

No. Any extras, such as alcohol, spa sessions, and other personal expenses, are charged to your account. Depending on the cruise line, these expenses can be quite expensive.

I recommend asking your speaker coach about strategies to save money on your cruise.

Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that you will be hired. I can promise you that I will give you everything I know, including the exact details of the process Sarah and I use to get hired by the cruise lines.

Of the many graduates who have completed my program, only two have been denied.

Good question. Let me share some information about a recent Celebrity cruise we took from Southampton, England, to St. Petersburg, Russia.

It was a 16-day cruise, and I was asked to deliver six 35-minute lectures on sea days.

If you were to purchase two tickets for this cruise, here is the approximate cost breakdown:

Full disclosure: This was the standard pricing, and cruise lines may offer discounts depending on their situation. The following pricing is for guideline purposes only, and all fares are approximate.

• Airfare from Vancouver, BC, to London Heathrow

• • 1 person, round-trip airfare for Sarah (my airfare was paid): $700 USD

• • 2 cruise tickets @ $7,039 USD each = $14,078 USD

• • $700 USD + $14,078 USD = $14,778 USD

• • Total in Canadian dollars: approximately $19,614

PLEASE NOTE: This is for one cruise only. Keep in mind that once the cruise line approves you, you are there for life, and you can request as many cruises as you want for the rest of your life.

Without overstating it, your investment is peanuts compared to the long-term value you will gain.

Between the different cruise lines (Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean alone), they offer 500+ itineraries per year.

Every year, they search for qualified cruise speakers, and from personal experience, there is never a danger of flooding the market.

No. Typically, cruise lines hire speakers for itineraries with 5 or more sea days.

There are occasions when cruise itineraries require a specific type of speaker, such as an anthropologist or naturalist. These opportunities are usually found on Alaska cruises.